Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia

I welcome the announcement of the appointment of Justice Susan Kiefel as the first female Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Another Queensland woman has been appointed to high office.

Dame Quentin Bryce was our nation’s first female Governor General.

Justice Kiefel has had a distinguished and inspiring career.

Prior to Justice Kiefel’s appointment to the High Court in 2007, she served on the Federal Court and as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

She was admitted to the Queensland Bar in 1975 and was the first woman in Queensland to be appointed Queen’s Counsel, in 1987.

Born in Cairns, Susan Kiefel attended Geebung State Primary School and Sandgate District High School to year 10.

After leaving school, she took a series of secretarial positions.

She worked for a group of prominent Brisbane barristers, including Tony Fitzgerald and Martin Moynihan.

While working full time, she completed her secondary education and completed with honours the examinations of the Barristers Board for admission to the Bar.

I congratulate Justice Kiefel on her appointment.